Marcus Fuller: Gophers basketball team showing cracks. Here's how to plug them

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Bleed

You're on your game tonight. Thanks for the links.
 



I laughed at the suggestions in this article:

1. Have Andre Hollins share ball handling duties with Maverick and Julian- The ball in Mavericks hands more often is not a recipe for success
2. Start Welch- The same guy who was 3-11 last night and hasn't looked good all season? I really think he's dealing with an injury the way he moves.
3. Sit Rodney Williams when he gets frustrated- and replace him with whom exactly...Oto?

One issue that is not discussed often enough (in the media) is the lack of scoring off the bench. This team hasn't proven to be any deeper than the starting 5 when it comes to putting the ball in the basket in conference play. The same cast of characters that didn't look like Big Ten players last year, don't look like Big Ten players this year. Putting those same players on the court more often is not a recipe for success.
 


EG#9 said:
I laughed at the suggestions in this article:

1. Have Andre Hollins share ball handling duties with Maverick and Julian- The ball in Mavericks hands more often is not a recipe for success
2. Start Welch- The same guy who was 3-11 last night and hasn't looked good all season? I really think he's dealing with an injury the way he moves.
3. Sit Rodney Williams when he gets frustrated- and replace him with whom exactly...Oto?

One issue that is not discussed often enough (in the media) is the lack of scoring off the bench. This team hasn't proven to be any deeper than the starting 5 when it comes to putting the ball in the basket in conference play. The same cast of characters that didn't look like Big Ten players last year, don't look like Big Ten players this year. Putting those same players on the court more often is not a recipe for success.
Click to expand...

I too disagree with the suggestions. My suggestion, suck it up and play better.. like you were a few weeks ago. The players can play, the coaches can coach.. just get out of the funk. I'd rather have a slump now then in mid march. Just as we won several games after going through adversity earlier this year..winning when most Gopher fans expected a loss after things got tight (Memphis, Stanford, MSU), I equate the mid season slide the same way. Hopefully the team will respond to the slide in the same way. Rally around each other, and not fold. We will see. I know one thing, I am not ready for the pitchfork that most in this forum are ready to swing. I even remember Tubby gushing over his players after wins this year.. go figure.

Time will tell if this team is different.. 3 games do not.
 

EG#9 said:
I laughed at the suggestions in this article:

1. Have Andre Hollins share ball handling duties with Maverick and Julian- The ball in Mavericks hands more often is not a recipe for success
2. Start Welch- The same guy who was 3-11 last night and hasn't looked good all season? I really think he's dealing with an injury the way he moves.
3. Sit Rodney Williams when he gets frustrated- and replace him with whom exactly...Oto?

One issue that is not discussed often enough (in the media) is the lack of scoring off the bench. This team hasn't proven to be any deeper than the starting 5 when it comes to putting the ball in the basket in conference play. The same cast of characters that didn't look like Big Ten players last year, don't look like Big Ten players this year. Putting those same players on the court more often is not a recipe for success.
Click to expand...

Wow, i thought Marcus was a better basketball mind. At least he is trying to think of different things. Personally, i like ingram, and when he gets in a flow does very well. Great defense, hustle, takes charges, etc. I would rather have ingram at the 4 than Rodney, who is getting completely worked over in the B10. Put Rodney back to the 3 i say, or atleast for some minutes during the game to go bigger, which would help with rebounding against Wisky.

As for Mav playing more minutes - NO WAY! Although he would be decent against Wisky as they don't pressure the ball much.
 

Rouser said:
I too disagree with the suggestions. My suggestion, suck it up and play better.. like you were a few weeks ago. The players can play, the coaches can coach.. just get out of the funk. I'd rather have a slump now then in mid march. Just as we won several games after going through adversity earlier this year..winning when most Gopher fans expected a loss after things got tight (Memphis, Stanford, MSU), I equate the mid season slide the same way. Hopefully the team will respond to the slide in the same way. Rally around each other, and not fold. We will see. I know one thing, I am not ready for the pitchfork that most in this forum are ready to swing. I even remember Tubby gushing over his players after wins this year.. go figure.

Time will tell if this team is different.. 3 games do not.
Click to expand...

Definitely agree with that last statement. This three game skid is concerning but two of the losses were against great teams and the one at Northwestern was a case of nearly everyone maybe outside of Mbakwe being off their game at the same time. Still plenty of time to get things back on track but this team needs a win in Madison tomorrow real bad.
 

I really hope the coaches and team are looking back at game films from earlier in the season. The offense is best when they are moving and they need to be prepared to push it when Wisconsin tries to slow it down. We saw a 1-3-1 earlier in the season and handled it well. Our offense was struggling against NW before they even used the 1-3-1. The defense needs to be prepared to play 35 seconds of tough defense because they know WI will pass until there are about 5 seconds left in the shot clock. Then they need to transition and not play slowly and make lazy passes. The last couple games have reminded me a lot of last year with Sampson on offense. I hope the team re-groups and plays like we know they are capable of.
 



GopherNC said:
I really hope the coaches and team are looking back at game films from earlier in the season. The offense is best when they are moving and they need to be prepared to push it when Wisconsin tries to slow it down. We saw a 1-3-1 earlier in the season and handled it well. Our offense was struggling against NW before they even used the 1-3-1. The defense needs to be prepared to play 35 seconds of tough defense because they know WI will pass until there are about 5 seconds left in the shot clock. Then they need to transition and not play slowly and make lazy passes. The last couple games have reminded me a lot of last year with Sampson on offense. I hope the team re-groups and plays like we know they are capable of.
Click to expand...

Losing Austin Hollins killed this team in that game. Recall that we were locked in a single digit battle last time until Hollins went off for those 5 threes. I know they made a run prior to him fouling out, but even then, he was in and out cause of foul issues. His long range shooting ability changes quite a bit for our offense, in particular when Dre is struggling as badly as he was. When those two are out there hitting outside shots, everything works far better.
 

I laughed out loud when I read his suggestion to start Welch at the 2. So you're suggesting we start the game with our best player (#20) on the bench?! Fantastic reporting, way to go!
 

GopherHoopsFan said:
I laughed out loud when I read his suggestion to start Welch at the 2. So you're suggesting we start the game with our best player (#20) on the bench?! Fantastic reporting, way to go!
Click to expand...

My interpretation was Marcus is suggesting Welch start instead of Coleman. Am assuming Austin, technically speaking, would move to the wing in the adjusted starting lineup.

I like the starting lineup the way it is, with Welch the first guard off the bench either as the 1 or 2.
 

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